‘Margins to Mainstream: The Story of Black Theatre in Britain’

‘Margins to Mainstream: The Story of Black Theatre in Britain’ is a documentary film produced by the Octavia Foundation and Nu Century Arts, Birmingham with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The groundbreaking film explores the history and heritage of Black theatre in Britain. It examines the different interpretations of ‘Black British Theatre’ as a label and genre and catalogues the incredible contribution of black actors, producers and playwrights to the UK theatre tradition. Featuring previously unseen footage of seminal plays, fascinating interviews with theatre heavyweights, Margins to Mainstream’ tells the story of a dynamic art.

Historians, playwrights, producers and actors that contributed and appear in the film include:

The film was shot at locations including Theatre Royal East, London Southbank Centre, Royal Court Theatre, Old Vic and The Tabernacle.

From Ira Aldridge playing Othello in Covent Garden in the 1830’s,

to Bashy playing Markus the Sadist in a ‘rap opera’ in 2010; the richness of this story is in its diversity. The film looks at the forgotten treasures and the landmark performances in the huge canon of work that exists. The film is pioneering in its subject and approach, highlighting the battles and the triumphs of Black British Theatre, on its journey from the margins, into the mainstream.

SEATING IS UNRESERVED, AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS. Admission is FREE, from eventbrite. PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY